Sidetracking tool



Oct. 22, 1935. "w. ca. BREWSTER I SIDETRAGKING TOOL Filed Dec. 19, 1933 I/VVi/YTOR Mum/*7 G. Bmsws Tm. 15x I j v I i if'ramvsy Patented Oct. 22, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Y 5 Claims.

This invention relates to a sidetracking tool,

by means of which a hole can be drilled at a fixed angle from the vertical.

An object of my invention is to provide a tool which is adapted to be set in a known position in the hole and which will then drill ahead at a known angle from the vertical.

Another object is to provide a tool of the character stated which includes an angular casing non-rotatably held in the bored hole, and a bit attached thereto which will drill ahead at a known angle from the vertical.

Still another object is to provide a tool of the character stated which permits circulation therethru, and which can be rotated while going into the bore, but the outer shell or casing of which is non-rotatably held when the bottom of the bore is reached.

Other objects, advantages and features of invention may appear from the accompanying drawing, the subjoined detailed description, and the appended claims.

In the drawing Figure 1 is a side elevationof my tool.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the I same.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary, longitudinal, secgland.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, my tool includes an outer shell or casing l, the upper portion 2 of which is positioned at a fixed angle to the lower portion 3. The outer shell is either bent at the desired angle or the upper and,lower sections are-welded together at the desired angle.

, A plurality of fins 0 project fromthe shell and these fins bite into the wall of the bored hole, when the bottom is reached, thereby non-rotatably holding the shell. The fins slide thru the formation when the tool is moving downwardly in drilling, and it is to be understood that this tool only starts the hole at an angle. Once the hole is started in the desired direction, my tool is removed and the usual bit is run into the hole, and the drilling continued.

A tubular stem 5 extends into the top of the shell I thru a packing nut 6. This nut-screws into the top of the shell and prevents fluid from entering said shell at the top. A collar I screws onto the top of the stem 5 and the drill pipe screws into this collar so that my tool can be operated, as will be further described.

A ring 8 loosely encircles the stem 5 below the collar 1, and a plurality 01 spring arms 9 is attached to this ring. The arms 9 are attached at their lower ends to the shell I. These arms are expanded outwardly against the wall of the hole to further assist in non-rotatably holding the shell I, and also for the purpose of 5 centralizing the shell in the hole-when it is moving downwardly. The spring arms 9 are pressed outwardly against the wall of the hole by the downward movement of the stem 5 when the bottom of the hole has been reached. .The reason 10 for this downward movement will be subsequently described.

A pipe l0 extends into the bottom of the shell I, and the bit I l is secured to the bottom thereof. A packing nut l2 screws into the bottom of the 1 shell and surrounds the pipe I0 for the purpose of preventing leakage at the bottom of said shell.

A universal joint It? comprises a bowl M which is fixedly attached to the pipe Ill. The method of attachment consists of a sleeve l5 which is 20 welded to the bowl and to the pipe, the lower end of the sleeve forming a shoulder which abuts the nut l2, thus preventing the bit from moving downwardly and out of the shell.

A tube I6 is fixedly attached to the stem 5 by 25 means of the sleeve ll which is welded into the stem and the tube. The upper end of the sleeve ll forms ashoulderwhich abuts the bottom of the nut 6, thus preventing the stem 5 from being pulled upwardly out of the shell or casing.

A hexagonal boss 58 is integrally formed on the lower end of the tube IS. The bowl I4 is also hexagonal interiorly so that the boss l8 will fit into it. The boss fits somewhat loosely and slidably in the bowl so that a universal coupling 35 is provided. A short nipple l9 extends downwardly from the boss l8 and accurately fits a counter-bore 20 in the bowl. The nipple I9 is formed with a head 25 and a ferrule 22 screws onto the boss l8, thereby holding the nipple in 'position.

A yieldable packing 23 is positioned between the head 2i and the ferrule 22, thereby allowing lateral movement of the nipple relative to the boss l8; 4

' A sheer pin 24 extends thru the shell i into the sleeve I1. When the bottom of the hole is reached, weight is applied to the stem 5. The boss l8 can slide downwardly in the bowl l4, and this movement may completely shear the pin 24. When the pin has been sheared, the shell- I may remain stationary while the stem 5 and the bit ll are rotated.

The downward movement of the stem 5 also bows-the arms 9 outwardly to hold said arms tightly against the wall 01' the hole. The angular a construction of the shell will also cause the fins 4 to be so positioned that they will bite into the formation, thus efiectively holding. the shell against rotation.

The stem 5, the universal joint and the pipe Ill all have fluid passageways therethru so that circulating fluid can be conducted to the bit I I. As the drilling continues, the shell I will be forced downwardly in the hole a distance of from ten to fifteen feet, more or less. Once the hole has been started in the desired direction, my tool is removed and the usual standard drill inserted. The standard drill will, of course, follow the hole started by my tool.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A sidetracking tool comprising a casing, the lower end of said casing being at an obtuse angle to the upper end of the casing, means on the casing whereby it is non-rotatably held in the hole, a mandrel extending thru the casing and rotatable therein, a bit on the lower end of said mandrel, a universal joint in said mandrel, a shear pin extending thru the casing into the mandrel, said mandrel being longitudinally slidable in the casing whereby the shear pin is severed.

2. A sidetracking tool comprising a casing, the lower end of said casing being at an obtuse angle to the upper end of the casing, means on the casing whereby it is non-rotatably held in the hole, a mandrel extending thru the casing and rotatable therein, a bit on the lower end of said mandrel, a universal joint in said mandrel, a shear pin extending thru the easing into the mandrel, said mandrel being longitudinally slidable in the easing whereby the shear pin is severed, a ring jour naled on the mandrel, spring arms attached at one end to thering, the other end of said arms being attached to the casing.

3. A sidetracking tool comprising a casing, the lower end of said casing being at an obtuse angle to the upper end thereof, a stem extending into the top of the casing and rotatable therein, a pipe projecting from the bottom of the casing and rotatable therein, a bit attached to the bottom end of the pipe, a universal joint attached to the stem v5 tatable therein, a bit attached to the bottom end of the pipe, a universal" joint attached to the stem and operatively connecting the same with the pipe, packing glands-at the top and bottom of the casing, fins projecting outwardly from the 20 casing whereby it is non-rotatably held in the hole, said universal joint having limited longitudinal movement relative to the pipe, and a shear pin extending thru the casing into the stem.

5. A sidetracking tool comprising a casing, the lower end of said casing being at an obtuse angle to the upper end thereof, a stem extending into the top of the casing and rotatable therein, a pipe projecting from the bottom of the casing and rotatable therein, a bit attachedto the bottom end of the pipe, a universal joint attached to the stem and operatively connecting the same with the pipe, packing glands at the top and bottom of the casing, fins projecting outwardly from the casing whereby it is non-rotatably held in the hole, said universal joint having limited longitudinal movement relative to the pipe, a ring journaled on the stem, and spring arms, one end of each of said spring arms being attached to the WILLIAM G. BREWSTER. 

